An important contribution enriching dialogues on gender equality in martial arts, cultural representation, and the transformative potential of ethnography

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Anna Kavoura
Department of Psychology, University of Ioannina, Greece


Kate Sylvester
Women and Martial Art in Japan
200 pages, hardcover, ill
Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge 2023 (ASAA Women in Asia Series)
ISBN 978-1-032-18783-9

Women and Martial Art in Japan offers a nuanced investigation of a previously unexplored aspect of martial art culture:women’s practice of kendo in a university sport setting in Japan. Published in 2023 as part of the Asian Studies Association of Australia Women in Asia Series by Routledge, this intriguing work is authored by Dr Kate Sylvester, whose ethnographic PhD research forms the foundation of this study. Through meticulous participant observation and qualitative analysis, Sylvester sheds light on the processes of identity construction that unfold within this unique context. By centering the underrepresented experiences of women athletes in Japan, alongside her own ethnographic insights, Sylvester exposes the nuanced dynamics of gender within the traditionally male-dominated realm of kendo. In addition to her scholarly credentials and interdisciplinary expertise in Japanese Studies and Sport Culture, Sylvester brings a deeply personal connection to the subject matter, having been an accomplished competitive kendo athlete herself and a coach of the Australian National Team.

The book is organized in six chapters, each delving into different themes in relation to how the notion of “tradition” is employed to maintain gender hierarchies in kendo, as well as how this traditionally male-dominated physical culture is embodied (and often reproduced) by female practitioners. Chapter 1 sets the stage by offering an overview of the Japanese kendo culture and its underlying values, norms, and gender dynamics. Sylvester then moves on to describing kendo’s position in Japanese education and the (unequal) career opportunities it affords to male and female practitioners.Moreover, the author critiques the pervasive influence of Western theoretical frameworks in the realm of sport and gender research. In a commendable effort to disrupt this hegemonic narrative, Sylvester draws upon the insights of Japan-based scholars, enriching the discourse with context-specific and culturally sensitive perspectives. In my opinion, this is one of the most valuable aspects of the book.

Here, it becomes permissible for women to explore and express masculinity, a freedom not typically granted in other spheres of Japanese society.

Chapter 2 describes how the embodied ethnographic approach was utilized to study women’s kendo in a university sport club in Japan. What is of particular value here is that Sylvester addresses the ethical dilemmas inherent in employing ethnography to study Japanese women’s experiences that are often misrepresented through Western, Eurocentric, and essentialist lenses. The chapter discusses the challenges of such fieldwork, including the ethnographic “failures and successes” (p. 31) and how they informed the research process and data interpretation. Furthermore, Sylvester provides a reflective account of her own positionality as both an insider and outsider, navigating the nuances of her identity as an Australian woman conducting research in Japan. As a researcher who has conducted ethnographic fieldwork investigating women’s identities and experiences in martial arts, in a cultural context other than my home country, I found this section particularly resonant. I think it offers valuable insights to fellow researchers and students embarking on similar cross-cultural endeavors.

Chapter 3 scrutinizes how the historical narrative of warrior culture predominantly revolves around a male-centric perspective, either omitting or trivializing the histories of women warriors. Sylvester argues that this narrative continues to be reproduced in contemporary martial art discourses, denying the contributions of women. To challenge this discourse, Sylvester recounts numerous overlooked instances of women’s remarkable martial (and particularly sword-based) capabilities throughout Japan’s history.

Chapter 4 offers a critical examination of a hidden curriculum that stems from Meiji-era ideology and remains deeply ingrained in contemporary Japanese society. This curriculum perpetuates patriarchal and heterosexist norms, such as the prescribed familial roles of “good wife, wise mother” which are idealized for Japanese women, burdening them with primary responsibility for domestic labor. Drawing from both fieldwork observations and interview data, Sylvester explores how university sports clubs serve as spaces that socialize women into these patriarchal roles through the teachings of male senseis (often internalized by female students) and the gendered division of labor.

The author of the book under review, Kate Sylvester (left) fights against K.H. Jeon of Republic of Korea during the Kendo competitions of the SportAccord Combat Games 2010 in Beijing. (Shutterstock/testing)

In Chapter 5, the focus shifts to how women navigate the prevailing gender hierarchy within kendo, often seeking solace in gender-segregated environments, such as university women’s kendo clubs. Drawing from empirical data, Sylvester contends that within these spaces, women can cultivate a sense of “sisterhood” and experience sport, and their bodies, in empowering ways. Here, it becomes permissible for women to explore and express masculinity, a freedom not typically granted in other spheres of Japanese society. Women adeptly navigate between performances of femininity and masculinity, guided by personal strengths, status, and contextual factors, accruing social capital through their adeptness. Moreover, they develop and demonstrate leadership skills through sempai (senior) and kohai (junior) relationships, despite these relationships simultaneously perpetuating hierarchical values prevalent in Japanese society. Overall,  I found this chapter very intriguing as it offers unique insights into cultural nuances often overlooked by Western martial arts scholars and practitioners.

In Chapter 6, which is the final and concluding chapter of this book, Sylvester delves into the progression of women’s sports in Japan and the persisting gender inequalities. Additionally, she discusses the impact of hosting the Tokyo Olympics, including the revelations in relation to women’s exposure to gender-based discrimination and violence in sport. Furthermore, the author discusses the critical challenges pertaining to gender equality within the realm of kendo in Japan and their impact on kendo-related discourses and practices worldwide. Sylvester concludes by emphasizing the necessity for a cultural reshaping within kendo that aligns with, rather than opposes, the pursuit of gender equality, asserting that such recalibration is essential for kendo to remain relevant in contemporary Japan and globally.

In conclusion, “Women and Martial Art in Japan” stands as an important contribution that not only sheds light on the underexplored realm of women’s participation in kendo in Japan, but also offers profound insights into broader themes of gender dynamics, cultural identity, and ethnographic methodology in this non-Western cultural context. Sylvester’s research and nuanced analysis challenge prevailing Eurocentric narratives and bring to the forefront Japan-based scholarship to shed light on the complexities of gender, culture, and identity, in martial arts. This book not only advances scholarly discourse but also enriches broader dialogues on gender equality in sport, cultural representation, and the transformative potential of ethnographic inquiry. Its relevance extends to diverse readerships interested in martial arts studies, gender studies, Japanese studies, sport culture, and ethnography alike.

Copyright © Anna Kavoura 2024


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